Ring-tailed lemurs are easy to recognize because of their black-and-white ringed tails.
Ring-tailed lemurs are the most widely recognized members of the lemur family. They are warm-blooded mammals that belong to the primate order and are closely related to apes and monkeys. Various species of lemurs reside together in the same geographical location, but a combination of specialized traits and characteristics make ring-tailed lemurs easy to distinguish from their relatives.
Physiology
Ring-tailed lemurs have long, black-and-white ringed tails that are longer than their bodies. Lemurs are covered by fur coats which exhibit characteristic markings: gray or brown backs, light gray or brown hind legs, white stomachs and white faces. The area around their large, red-orange eyes is covered with black markings that resemble triangles, and they have black noses. The ears are white and angular, similar to those of cats. Male lemurs have a scent gland on the inside of each wrist that is covered by a spur-like appendage called a "horny spur," and all lemurs have comb-like teeth in their lower jaws that are specialized for grooming. The adult ring-tailed lemur averages 5 to 7 pounds and can grow 15 to 18 inches in length.
Diet
Ring-tailed lemurs are opportunistic omnivores, meaning their diets depend on what is available. They may relocate within their range to find food, and females always eat before the males. They consume fruits, leaves, stems, insects, spider webs, birds, and chameleons. They occasionally may eat dirt in order to obtain the minerals essential to their diets. The fruits and leaves of the Tamarind tree are a major food source. Lemurs also obtain water from succulent plants during dry spells.
Habitat
Lemurs spend 40 percent of their time on the ground and the rest in trees. They are native to southern Madagascar and the Southeastern plateau of the Andringita Mountains of this country. They frequently populate the Ankoba forest, the Mazala forest and the Berenty Reserve in Madagascar. Lemurs also inhabit gallery forests, grasslands and savannas.
Behavior
Ring-tailed lemurs live in social groups called "troops."
Ring-tailed lemurs are vocal and use many sounds to communicate. They may purr when in the presence of infants or when they're comfortable; meow to form cohesion of a separated group; howl when feeling territorial; grunt to signal alarm; or staccato grunt at one another to express dislike. Lemurs are very social creatures and often bond through grooming one another. Females are dominant within "troops," or groups of 15 to 20 lemurs, and readily establish their territory to defend it from other troops. Females are loyal to their troops, while males may transfer from one to another. The males fight amongst one another to establish rank, gaining or losing status, and the top lemur may be displaced. Lemur infants are born after an average gestation period of 135 days, become independent at six months and are fully mature in two years. The lifespan of the ring-tailed lemur ranges from 20 to 27 years.
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